Groups calling for western Lake Erie to be declared impaired

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — Environmental groups in Ohio are intensifying their efforts to push government regulators to declare western Lake Erie an impaired watershed.

They say it would bring in more resources to combat the runaway algae blooms that are a threat to drinking water and aquatic life.

But the state’s environmental agency argues it wouldn’t bring much change and only delay efforts already under way.

Officials with the state Environmental Protection Agency say Ohio has taken a number of steps to cut down the pollutants that help the algae thrive.

Environmental groups believe more work is needed to help the lake.

They say issuing an impaired watershed designation would force stricter pollution limits and put more federal funding toward the problem.